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I see now that the AL in those NAPA part numbers probably stands for AutoLite. I have a Delco so I read the wrong numbers off.

I got the correct part numbers off the X-Ref site now.

I thought getting a rotor for the distributor would be easy. Even when you guys advised that I get the non-resistor type rotor I still thought it would a simple task.

My first NAPA rotor (AL-99) purchase was too short because I got one for an Auto-Lite instead of Delco.

The NAPA rotor (RR159) that I picked up today turned out to be the exact same thing that you folks told me to avoid. No were on the package or online does it describe it as a resistor type rotor.

So now I go to eBay and those rotors are even more confusing. Many sellers are saying that the AL-99 is for Delco.

SO the stupid the question of the night is which rotor should I be getting.

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Steward, just a quick question or 2: 1. are you striving to maintain the original, true to factory as possible?

2. Is your electrical system still positive ground?

3. If you cannot find the pieces that you need would you consider using a pertronix ignition inside your distributor? If so I have one, it is used. We switched to positive ground and installed a new pertronix in out '55.

Just food for thought.

I won't dispute that some may have had a failure with the Delco resistor rotor but among the local population of V8 Packard folk in my area, no failures going back many years. If you're all that concerned, buy 2 and keep the extra in the glove box.

Hey Sarge.

You need to back up a couple pages on my blog. I do have a pertronic installed but I still need a rotor. The car is being changed to the positive ground as I rebuild it.

For the past year, I have been watching Ebay for a 6 blade Dodge cooling fan. KevinAZ pointed me in that direction when I was AZ last winter. His had the DCPD stamp on it. I have been using multiple searches parameters and could not find a thing for 12 months.

Last week I stumbled on a 6 blade 17" fan that had measurements for the holes that were close to the Packards so for $24 I bought it. The seller had no idea what it came off of and it does not have the Dodge stamp on it.

The center hole was about 1/16 to small but 1 hour with my drimmel and its fitting good now. As an added bonus the screw holes are larger than needed but they match up pretty good with the water pump.

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If your center hole is off by even a couple thou, that fan is.... Well, one way to tell.

Next time you need to slightly enlarge a hole in thin metal you might want to consider using a Unibit Reamer Cone drill. I find them much easier to use than a standard drill bit as they don't grab when drilling thin pieces of metal. They are also good at deburring holes that have been drilled.

My hat's off to you as I enjoy reading your post and keep up the great work

What do you Packard V8 gurus use to prime the oil pump?
I have the Oldsmobile pump. A 5/16 Allen wrench fits the pump but I think I need something like 12" to 14" long that can be inserted into a drill.

Any suggestion?

I used an old damaged distributor but that was a waste of a probably rebuildable unit. If an Allen wrench fits the drive what about some hex stock? McMaster has a good assortment of 1' long pieces of steel hex bar in most of the usual sizes. Here is an inexpensive one.mcmaster.com/#6512k141/=1bscbv9